nni l

grind together. He yanked her forward, pulling her flush against his chest. His

nd dangerous. "I will burn every sketchbook, every de

ot in her stomach, but it was overshadowed by a pr

flat. "But it won't change anyth

catching him off guard. She turned to her portfolio, unzipp

t him, and slapped the envelope down on the gl

he envelope, then at

ysis report, detailing the projected failure of a recent Baldwin acquisition in

top of the first page stood out

3 LOSS PROJECTIO

led the room. Then, a harsh, barking laugh escaped his lips.

t. "Is this your new hobby? Playing businesswoman? You know nothing of

ing from you. I just want you to

r. He was used to her tears, her pleading. This

le. He tore them again, and again, until the pages were nothing but confetti. H

" he declared, his voice echoing in

floor. She felt a strange sense of calm. The pap

r what you decide, Giovanni. The illusion is already o

retch, building the tension until

so blinded by the past y

his face shifting to confusio

was wearing last night? The life you've forced upon me? It's a cage of your own maki

m was instantane

it vanished, replaced by a raw, unfiltered shock. His mouth opened, but no

h Dakota so plainly. He had wanted to hurt her, to control her,

ast, empty wasteland where her heart used to be. She thought his shock wa

oked out, his voice cracking. "It's

," Edith said col

white. She could see the gears turning in his head, the frantic calculations. The face of his b

a strategic alliance between their families, a deal brokered l

ing else. A desperate, corner

y the shoulders and slammed her back against the w

d, his face inches from hers, his eyes

ugh, bruising. Edith didn't fight him. She just closed her eyes, turning her

one of Giovanni's phon

her ear. He pulled the phone from

ID read: Ha

etely gone from his face. The ultimate author

if she had burned him. He answered

the